Simultaneous channel switching within a mesh network

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method for channel switching in a mesh network is described. In one embodiment, a beacon is sent. The beacon includes a channel change request in both proprietary and standard formats. The channel change request includes an instruction to change to a particular channel and a timing synchronization function identifying when the change to the particular channel should occur. The timing synchronization function is used to determine that the time has arrived to change to the particular channel. The particular channel is changed to synchronously with all other access points in a mesh network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/200,412, titled: “Simultaneous Channel Switching within aMesh Network,” filed on Mar. 7, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/784,795, titled: “System ForMinimizing Interference Through Simultaneous Channel Switching Within AMesh Network, And Methods, Devices, Software, And Computer-ReadableMedia Associated Therewith,” filed on Mar. 14, 2013. The disclosures ofeach of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

When deploying a network, a primary concern is often the amount ofbandwidth available to devices within the home network. This concernextends to administrators of commercial, governmental, home, and othertypes of networks. For instance, in a home network, a user may at timesreceive multiple streams of video. As high definition video isincreasingly available, the user or administrator of the network maywant to ensure that the technology used within the home network issufficient to support the data requirements of multiple streams of highdefinition video.

Although applicable to all networks, users deploying home networks mayalso be very cognizant of the cost of deployment. There may therefore bea balance to obtain sufficiently capable technology at the lowest cost.In making that determination, a home network user may select any ofseveral wired technologies to deliver compressed video. For instance,MOCA, HPNA, and PLC may be available. In other embodiments, however,user may opt to use a wireless network. Some wireless networks mayexpand the coverage area, allow connecting devices to be more portable,and may even be deployable at less of a cost. WiFi (i.e., 802.11wireless) is often used as a wireless technology capable of provideddesired coverage at an economical cost.

WiFi, and particularly 802.11n wireless, may be used to reach virtuallyany corner of a building, and to connect to a wide variety of devices.Example devices that may use WiFi connectivity include desktop andlaptop computers, tablet computing devices, televisions, residentialgateways, set-top boxes, game consoles, voice over IP phones, smartphones, and other devices. WiFi is, however, at times unpredictable andunreliable due to the nature of wireless signal propagation and thepervasiveness of interference in the unlicensed spectral bands whereWiFi operates.

SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method forchannel switching in a mesh network is described. In one embodiment, abeacon may be sent. The beacon may include a channel change request inboth proprietary and standard formats. The channel change request mayinclude an instruction to change to a particular channel and a timingsynchronization function identifying when the change to the particularchannel should occur. The timing synchronization function may be used todetermine that the time has arrived to change to the particular channel.The particular channel may be changed to synchronously with all otheraccess points in a mesh network.

In one embodiment, the timing synchronization function may includeinformation for identifying one or more of the following: a time priorto the time for changing to the particular channel when a transmissionqueue should be stopped, a time prior to the time for changing to theparticular channel when a reception queue should be stopped, a timeafter the time for changing to the particular channel when thetransmission queue should be restarted, and a time after the time forchanging to the particular channel when the reception queue should berestarted.

In some embodiments, prior to sending the beacon, a prior beacon may bereceived. Sending the beacon may be performed by an access point afterreceipt of a prior beacon that includes the channel change request.Information from the prior beacon may be added into the sent beacon. Insome cases, adding information from the prior beacon may includechanging the timing synchronization function to account for timedifferences as a result of at least time to receive and send beacons. Insome cases, the change to a particular channel may be registered using acallback function. In some embodiments, one or more operations describedherein may be performed by an access point. The access point may includea kernel mode having a proprietary kernel module. In some cases, thestandard format may include an implementation in an action frame of802.11 channel-switch announcement (CSA) elements to allow channelchanges by devices that do not have access to the proprietary format.

In one embodiment, prior to sending the beacon, a clear channelassessment request identifying a particular channel for a clear channelassessment may be sent. The clear channel assessment may includeinformation for identifying two or more of identification of a primarychannel for the clear channel assessment, identification of a secondarychannel for the clear channel assessment, a sampling duration, asampling period, and a time synchronization function on when to performthe clear channel assessment. In some cases, sending the clear channelassessment request may include adding information from the prior clearchannel assessment request. The clear channel assessment may beperformed, on all channels, synchronously with other access points inthe mesh network. Performing the clear channel assessment may includedetermining if power on a sampled channel is above or below a powerthreshold. Performing the clear channel assessment may include measuringhow busy the channel is. The busyness of a channel may be inverselyproportional to a bit asserted for each sample where power is below apredetermined threshold.

A computing device configured to obscure content on a screen is alsodescribed. The device may include a processor and memory in electroniccommunication with the processor. The memory may store instructions thatmay be executable by the processor to send a beacon, the beaconincluding a channel change request in both proprietary and standardformats. The change channel change request may include an instruction tochange to a particular channel and a timing synchronization functionidentifying when the change to the particular channel should occur. Thememory may store instructions that may be executable by the processor touse the timing synchronization function, determining that the time hasarrived to change to the particular channel and change to the particularchannel synchronously with all other access points in a mesh network.

A computer-program product to obscure content on a screen is alsodescribed. The computer-program product may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium that stores instructions. The instructions maybe executable by the processor to send a beacon, the beacon including achannel change request in both proprietary and standard formats. Thechange channel change request may include an instruction to change to aparticular channel and a timing synchronization function identifyingwhen the change to the particular channel should occur. The memory maystore instructions that may be executable by the processor to use thetiming synchronization function, determining that the time has arrivedto change to the particular channel and change to the particular channelsynchronously with all other access points in a mesh network.

Features from any of the above-mentioned embodiments may be used incombination with one another in accordance with the general principlesdescribed herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantageswill be more fully understood upon reading the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodimentsand are a part of the specification. Together with the followingdescription, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principlesof the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example mesh network according toone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates example data paths of two signalswithin the mesh network of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrates a building having multiple wireless devices forreceiving data transmitted within a communication network, andadditional wireless devices which may provide interference, according toone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B illustrates the building of FIG. 3A, and shows example wirelessdevices with antennas for receiving communications within a meshnetwork, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an example communication system inwhich two devices with four antennas may maintain four independent datastreams, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B schematically illustrates the example communication system ofFIG. 4A, in which the antennas of the devices may use beamforming tocombine data streams, according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 graphically illustrates a comparison of throughput for a 4×4 MIMOsystem with beamforming relative to two different 3×3 MIMO systems,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example access point including user and kernelmodes, the kernel mode including a proprietary kernel module forcommunicating channel change and clear channel assessment messages,according to one embodiment t of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for performing a channel switchaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method forsimultaneous channel switching in a mesh network; and

FIG. 9 illustrates another example method for performing a channelswitch according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, themethod of FIG. 9 further being generally applicable to a manner in whicha clear channel assessment and radar detection may be performed in otherembodiments of the present disclosure.

While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, theinstant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Systems, methods, devices, software and computer-readable mediaaccording to the present disclosure may be configured for use in awireless communication system. More particularly, systems, methods,devices, software and computer-readable media may be used to maintainreliable communications over extended ranges, and with channelinterference resiliency. Without limiting the scope of the presentdisclosure, some embodiments may specifically relate to providingsynchronous and collective changes to communication channels, withoutdisassociation, and in a manner that may reduce dropped packets andinterference. In at least some embodiments, availability of othercommunication channels may be assessed by multiple wireless accesspoints and/or stations in a synchronous manner.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to wirelesscommunication systems. More particularly, embodiments of the presentdisclosure relate to systems, methods and devices for mitigatinginterference and maintaining connectivity within a wirelesscommunication system. More particularly still, embodiments of thepresent disclosure relate to systems, methods, devices,computer-readable media, and software for resiliently and dynamicallyadjusting to channel interference to maintain reliability and extendrange within a wireless network.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure,interference is mitigated or avoided by changing the communicationchannel at each access point, node, or station within a wireless meshnetwork. Each channel can change the channel simultaneously so as tominimize or eliminate dropped data packets while maintaining anassociation between access points and stations.

To change channel synchronously, an initiating access point maydetermine a channel change is desired using clear channel assessment orother measures. A message may be prepared and sent as a beacon, whichmessage can identify the channel to change to, and the time at which thechange should occur. A receiving access point may set a timer to makethe change at the specified time. The receiving access point may alsoadd the channel change information to an outgoing beacon to allow themessage to propagate through the full mesh network prior to the time tochange channel occurs.

In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure,a channel change procedure is based on a clear channel assessment. Theclear channel assessment may also be performed by requesting all accesspoints and/or stations within the mesh network perform the clear channelassessment on the same channel or channels, at the same time. Eachaccess point may register its results and report the results. Aninitiating access point may interpret the results and use the results toinitiate a channel change simultaneously at all nodes of the meshnetwork.

System Overview

To better understand aspects of the present disclosure, FIG. 1illustrates an example wireless networking system 100 that may be usedin connection with some embodiments of the present disclosure. It shouldbe appreciated that the wireless networking system 100 is merely oneexample of a suitable system for use with embodiments of the presentdisclosure, and should not therefore limit embodiments described hereinto any particular structure.

The wireless networking system 100 of FIG. 1 illustrates an example meshnetwork that may use multiple nodes, or access points 102 a-g, that cancollectively route information to any of multiple stations 104 a-e ordevices. The particular system 100 of FIG. 1 may be dynamic and adaptiveto respond to conditions within the network, including interference fromany of a variety of sources.

In this particular embodiment, the system 100 may include a serviceprovider 101 which provides network communication services. Although notnecessary, an example of a service provider 101 may include an Internetservice provider (“ISP”). In such an embodiment, some components of thesystem 100 may collectively form a local area network (e.g., components102-108), or other type of network to access data available through theservice provider 101 and/or to send information to the service provider101.

In FIG. 1, the local area network, or other network, may include adistribution switch 106 which communicates with the service provider101. The distribution switch 106 may communicate with an access switch108. The distribution switch 106 and access switch 108 may be connectedto allow the transfer of communication. The access switch 108 may alsoconnect to one or more access points 102 a-g. As noted above, the accesspoints 102 a-g may be examples of nodes that can form a mesh network.Through a mesh network, the access points 102 a-g may communicate witheach other to transfer communications and messages within the network.In some embodiments, any access point 102 a-g may be able to communicatewith any other access point 102 a-g. The access points 102 a-g may usewireless communication to communicate. Thus, if two access points 102a-g are unable to communicate, it may be due to factors such as distanceor interference (e.g., physical objects obstructing communication), andnot necessarily incompatibility.

Any of a number of electronic devices 104 a-e may attempt to communicatewith the service provider 101. For instance, a computing device (e.g.,laptop computing device 104 b, 104 c) may communicate with the serviceprovider 101. Alternatively, a portable electronic device (e.g., smartphone 104 a, 104 d) may communicate with the service provider 101. Inother embodiments, other devices (e.g., set-top box 104 e) maycommunicate with the service provider 101. Where the access points 102a-g are wireless access points, any or all of the devices 104 a-e may becapable of communicating wirelessly with an access point 102 a-g. FIG. 1illustrates, in dashed lines, potential communication links within thesystem 101, both between access points 102 a-g themselves, betweenaccess points 102 a-g and devices 104 a-e, and between access points 102a-g and the access switch 108.

As discussed herein, the system 100 may be dynamic and adaptive in orderto allow communications between devices 104 a-e and the service provider101. An adaptive system may route communications in different mannersdepending on which device 104 a-e is used and/or based on otherconditions in the system 100. FIG. 2 illustrates some example manners inwhich the system 100 of FIG. 1 may be used to pass a set ofcommunications.

In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates two example signals 110 a, 110 b thatmay be passed using the system 100 of FIG. 1. A first signal 110 aallows the service provider 101 to communicate with a particular device,which in this case may be the laptop computing device 104 c. The secondsignal 110 b may also allow communication with the service provider 101,but this example uses communication with the portable electronic device104 a. The routing of the signals 110 a, 110 b may be different, and mayeven change, based on conditions within the system, including thelocations of the devices 104 a, 104 c.

A signal intended for a device 104 c may be received by the distributionswitch 106, and passed to the access switch 108. At that point theaccess switch 108 may determine which of the nodes 104 a-g may be usedto pass the information to the device 104 c. In this particularembodiment (as shown in FIG. 1), the device 104 c may be incommunication with a particular node (e.g., access point 102 f).Consequently, communication may be routed from the access switch 108,through the access points, until reaching the access point 102 f. Theaccess point 102 f may then transfer the signal to the device 104 c.

FIG. 2 illustrates a particular path the signal 110 a may follow. Moreparticularly, FIG. 2 illustrates that the signal may be passed by theaccess switch 108 to an access point 102 a, which can then send thesignal to an additional access point 102 f. In this case, the accesspoint 102 f may be associated with the device 104 c, so the device 104 cmay then receive the signal from the access point 102 f. Optionally, aresponse signal may be sent back to the service provider 101. In thisparticular embodiment, the signal 110 a includes a response whichfollows the same path back to the service provider 101. Specifically,the signal may be passed from the device 104 c to the access point 102f. The access point 102 f can communicate the signal to the access point102 a, which in turn communicates the signal to the access switch 108.The access point 108 communicates with the distribution switch 106,which can communicate with the service provider 101 (see FIG. 1).

The second signal 110 b may allow communication with a different device104 a, which can potentially be in a different location. Consequently,the communication path used by signal 110 b can optionally be different.In particular, the device 104 a is shown in FIG. 1 as being associatedwith an access point 102 c, so communication of the signal 110 b maypass through the access point 102 c.

Transmission of a signal 110 b to the device 104 a may start similar tosignal 110 a, and may pass from the distribution switch 106 to theaccess switch 108. Thereafter, however, the path may diverge. In thisparticular embodiment, the signal 110 b may then be passed, in order,through access point 102 b, access point 102 g, access point 102 d, andaccess point 102 c before being routed to the device 104 a. A returnpath of the signal 110 b to the service provider could follow a similarpath. In FIG. 2, however, the return path may be different. Forinstance, an access point may disassociate with the system 100, may beaffected by interference, or otherwise be affected. Consequently, adifferent return path may be dynamically determined. In particular, FIG.2 illustrates a return path from the device 104 a as going through theaccess point 102 c, and access point 102 b before being directed to theaccess switch 108 and distribution switch 106.

The example system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be used in a variety ofdifferent environments. For instance, in at least some embodiments thesystem 100 may include a network suitable for use in a single building(e.g., home, office, etc.). The use of multiple access points 102 a-gmay allow signals to be re-routed along any of multiple paths to reach adestination. In other embodiments, however, the system 100 may besuitable for use in larger or smaller locations. In an example of alarger system, the service provider may provide broadband or otherInternet access to a neighborhood or geographical region wider than asingle building. Multiple access points 104 a-g may be dispersedthroughout the geographical region in order to provide Internet accessto multiple devices at any of multiple homes, buildings, or otherlocations. In at least some embodiments, the system 100 may therefore bewidely distributed, although such distribution is not required for allembodiments of the present disclosure.

In order to allow communication between the various access points 102a-g and devices 104 a-e of the system 100, each component in acommunication path may generally create an association, or communicationlink, to allow wireless communication to occur. The communication mayfollow particular protocols and, in at least some embodiments, may use aparticular channel or frequency for communication. Each of thecomponents 102, 104 may use the same frequency or channel in order topass communications.

An example protocol or technology that may be used to pass wirelesscommunications includes WiFi (e.g., 802.11) signals. One aspect of WiFisignals, and virtually all wireless signals, is that they may often beaffected by interference. Due to interference, the data rate andreliability of WiFi signals may increase or decrease. In general, assignal power increases, data rate and reliability increase, whiledecreasing with reduced signal power. Interference reduces the signalpower.

Interference that degrades signal quality, and thus data rate andreliability, may come from any number of sources. For instance, signalpower may fall off inversely with the distance between wirelesscomponents. Thus, a receiver that is located far from a transmitter mayreceive less signal power as compared to a nearer receiver. With lesspower, a receiver may not be able to support as high of data rates as acloser-range receiver.

Interference may also come from other sources. Physical objects may, forinstance, impede the direct path, or line of sight, of a signal. Signalsmay be reflected, which can result in a multipath. Reflection of signalscan reduce power and re-direct signals, leading to reduced power anddead spots within a network.

Even in the absence of reflection, a wall or other physical objects mayalso decrease power of a signal. The amount of power loss, orattenuation, may vary based on the type of material. For instance, ahome with concrete walls may cause, in some cases, up to 50 dB loss.With such power loss, it may be difficult to maintain a communicationlink or association between wireless components. In contrast, homes withthinner walls (e.g., wall in homes in Japan), may experience far lesssignal attenuation.

Other wireless devices may, however, also provide interference. Ifanother device produces a wireless signal in the same or a nearbyfrequency band, the signals can saturate a receiver and cause excessivenoise, thereby degrading performance. The above example of a home withthin walls, for instance, may benefit from less attenuation due to wallthickness, but may also allow more signals from nearby locations to bereceived at a receiver. Examples of devices that may cause interferencein a WiFi setting can include other WiFi networks, microwaves, cordlessphones, Bluetooth devices, wireless video cameras, wireless gamecontrollers, fluorescent lights, WiMAX, Zigbee devices, and otherdevices, or any combination of the foregoing.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example building 200 in which wireless signalsmay be transmitted, and in which interference may occur. In particular,the building 200 may include various devices 204 a-g which can operateusing, or put off, a wireless signal. For instance, the illustratedbuilding 200 includes two televisions 204 a, 204 b, either of which mayreceive wireless signals over a communication network (e.g., the meshnetwork 100 of FIG. 1). In this particular embodiment, the television204 a may also be connected to a set-top box 204 c or other similardevice, which may also receive wireless signals. A computing device 204d in another room may similar connect to the wireless network (e.g., toan access point of the wireless network) to communicate with a serviceprovider or other devices within the system. Other wireless devices inthe building 200 include a cordless phone 204 e, a mobile phone 204 f,and a gaming system 204 g having wireless controllers.

In the particular embodiment in FIG. 3A, the wireless signals receivedby some wireless devices (e.g., 204 a-d) may be affected by signals ofother devices (e.g., 204 e-g), which can potentially operate using adifferent network or system. Due to interference, packets of informationsent along a WiFi or other network may be lost, or associations betweendevices and access points may even be lost.

Maintaining a suitable data rate may be increasingly significant asthere is a continually rising use of bandwidth. Data rate is dependenton time (i.e., how much data is used over a period of time), and can beparticularly affected by large data sets, such as increasingly higherresolution video. This trend can be associated with increased use offlat panel displays of larger size, higher resolution (e.g., 1080i-30 to1080P-60), higher contrast ratio, higher color resolution, increaseddynamic range for high definition content, higher frame rates (e.g.,120/240 frames per second), availability of three-dimensionalprogramming, and the like, or any combination of the foregoing. Althoughcompression (e.g., H.264 compression) allow data to be compressed, highdefinition video may still use a lot of bandwidth. For instance, highresolution video may still use 30 Mbps or more, as compared to the 8-12Mbps used by video data of the past.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may allow wireless transmission oflarge quantities of data, including, but not limited to, high definitionvideo data. Such data can be transmitted in accordance with embodimentsdisclosed herein by maintaining high reliability and data rates, whilealso minimizing packet loss, dead spots, and disassociation amongwireless access points and devices.

To appreciate some of the manners in which embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be used, a description of various concepts of the presentdisclosure will be described in greater detail. Each of these conceptsmay be used alone, or in combination, in some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Thus, while described individually in some cases, it shouldbe appreciated that any concept or feature described herein may be usedin connection with any other feature or concept. Example featuresdescribed include:

-   -   Mesh networking;    -   Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO);    -   Dynamic Digital Beamforming;    -   Receiver processing;    -   Fast Channel Switching;    -   Clear Channel Assessments; and    -   Channel Scanning.

Each of the foregoing is described in greater detail herein.

Mesh Networking

Mesh networking generally includes the use of multiple access points, ornodes, to facilitate communication between different devices or systems.The system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is one example of a mesh network. Meshnetworking provides scalability, and may be used with both small andlarge locations. Thus, a small home may utilize mesh network, as may alarger home, an office building, or even larger locations, all whileobtaining nearly 100% wireless coverage.

Mesh networking may also provide dynamic communication. As discussedherein, particularly with respect to FIG. 2, communications may berouted and re-routed based on a variety of conditions. For instance, areceiving device at one location may associate with a particular accesspoint, and communications may pass along one path of different accesspoints to enable communication with another device or a serviceprovider. If the device moves, if a connection degrades, or if anothercondition occurs, the mesh network may dynamically re-route end-to-endcommunications to provide suitable reliability and data rates. In someembodiments, each access point may also operate at least partiallyindependently. A mesh network may not use a controller, and may insteadallow each access point to use point-to-point or point-to-multipointcommunications to pass signals.

MIMO

MIMO refers to the use of multiple inputs and multiple outputs in thecontext of a radio channel carrying a signal. For a MIMO system, variousdevices may include multiple antennas that are used to transfer signalsbetween transmitters and receivers. Each access point, end-user device,or other components in the system may act as both a transmitter and/orreceiver in certain embodiments. MIMO may provide the ability toincrease data rates, range, and reliability, all while not utilizingadditional bandwidth or substantially, if at all, increasingtransmission power.

To use MIMO, the multiple antennas may use channels independently, so asto send multiple data streams. FIG. 3B, for instance, illustrates thebuilding 200 of FIG. 3A, but illustrates various devices as includingmultiple antennas 212. In this particular embodiment, the television 204b, set-top box 204 c, computing device 204 d, and gaming system 204 gmay each have multiple antennas 212 for use in connection with a MIMOsystem.

In general, the number of antennas 212 used may be configurable, and canchange according to system requirements, cost concerns, or the like.Each antenna may, however, support an independent data stream, and moreantennas may thus increase the number of independent data streamsavailable. A 2×2 MIMO system may include two antennas at the transmitterand two antennas at the receiver, and can support two independent datastreams. Similarly, a 3×3 MIMO system may support up to threeindependent data streams, and a 4×4 MIMO system can support fourindependent data streams.

Dynamic Digital Beamforming

Dynamic digital beamforming (“DDB”) may relate to the use of antennas tofocus energy between devices on a per-packet basis. More particularly,DDB may take advantage of directional or spatial knowledge in order tofocus radio in a particular direction. A signal may be sent, forinstance, by each of two antennas. Where the signals overlap, signalsmay be amplified. Steering signals, delaying signals from one antenna,and the like may therefore direct the amplification to a particularlocation and/or distance. FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an example4×4 MIMO system 300 which can send independent streams, and FIG. 4Billustrates the same 4×4 MIMO system 300 with DDB used to effectivelycombine streams and provide enhanced reliability.

DDB may be used in connection with MIMO to obtain some additional gainsin reliability and/or data rate. In a 2×2 MIMO system, for instance, twodata streams may be provided; however, with no additional antennas theremay be marginal benefits to the two data streams. In contrast, a 3×3MIMO system may also support two data streams, but can include anadditional antenna. That additional antenna may allow more beamformingto take place, thereby providing added reliability. Further improvementcan be seen in a 4×4 MIMO system that includes two additional antennasbeyond those used for two data streams. In a 4×4 MIMO system, the twoadditional antennas allow focusing of energy in two directions, and someembodiments can provide gains of 12-25 dB, or more, relative to signalssent without beamforming.

In general, the more antennas that are provided, the more antennas canbe used for providing independent data streams and/or for beamforming.Additional antennas may thus provide additional spatial dimensions to becombined and to provide greater reliability.

While additional antennas may be used, it may not be necessary, or evendesirable, to continually increase the number of antennas. For instance,if a single data stream is provided, two antennas may provide nearly100% reliable use. Similarly, if two data streams are to be supported,four antennas may provide nearly 100% reliable use. Table 1, below,summarizes the reliability of various systems that include both MIMO andDDB.

TABLE 1 Configuration 2 × 2 3 × 3 4 × 4 % of channels supporting 99.5% 100% 100% 1 max-rate data stream % of channels supporting  4.4% 68.1% 99% 2 max-rate data streams

DDB can be used by applying weight factors to each antenna, to therebysteer energy in an independent spatial direction associated with thedata stream, while avoiding interference. Channel estimation can beused, and may be explicit or implicit. For instance, explicit feedbackof the weights and channel estimates may be received from a receiver. Inother embodiments, metrics such as minimizing packet error rate may beused to obtain implicit feedback on the weight factors being applied.DDB may also provide enhanced flexibility as the weight factors can bechanged based on the feedback. In contrast to switched beamforming,which limits switching between fixed antenna patterns pointing in asingle spatial direction, weight factors can be varied in any desiredmanner.

Receiver Processing

Receiver processing may be used in connection with MIMO and/or DDB tofurther provide improved throughput, range, and/or reliability of awireless signal. In some embodiments, the antennas may be optimallyadapted to the characteristics of MIMO channel frequency response, thenumber of data streams, and the receiver positions. For instance, in a4×4 MIMO system, two extra antennas (assuming 2 independent data streamsare supported), may focus energy in two directions to reduceinterference and move the signal away from other locations.

In particular, while DDB may use additional antennas to steertransmitted data in a particular spatial direction, receiver processingmay apply weight factors to antenna inputs to steer an array pattern inthe direction of detecting and receiving an incoming data stream.Combining receiver processing and DDB may therefore collectively steerand receive data streams in an optimal manner to produce increasedthroughput, reliability, and range.

Another aspect of receiver processing may be the ability to counteractinterference. When weight factors are applied, weighting may place nullsin the directions of interference sources. Thus, a 4×4 MIMO systemproviding two extra antennas can potentially null-out two interferencesources. Nulling an interference source may, however, change the abilityto steer an array in the direction of an incoming data stream. Forinstance, if one antenna is used to null an interference stream, it maybe unable to also steer an array toward an incoming data stream, leavingonly one antenna to do so. Receiver processing can thus optimizeperformance by combining nulling out interference and maximizingreceived signal power by steering an array toward incoming data streams.In some embodiments, receiver processing may suppress interferenceeffects so that transmitted signals in the spatial direction areorthogonal to that of interference sources.

Combining MIMO, DDB, and receiver processing can provide significantgains over systems lacking any or all of such components. FIG. 5, forinstance, illustrates an example graph representing the averagethroughput of various systems. The graph illustrates throughput as itrelates to distance or range. A first condition 402 represents a 4×4MIMO system with adaptive processing in transmit and receive antennaarrays (i.e., using DDB and receiver processing), and shows significantgains relative to 3×3 MIMO systems with switched beamforming (condition404) and without any beamforming (condition 406).

Fast Channel Switching

As discussed herein, embodiments of the present disclosure may includeuse of a wireless communication system in which multiple nodes and/ordevices associate over wireless communication links. The communicationlinks may then be used to transfer information within the network.Optionally, the network includes components discussed above, includingmesh networking to reach difficult to reach locations using meshelements between transmitters and receivers. Other features may includeMIMO (e.g., 4×4 MIMO) that enables DDB with explicit or implicit channelestimates to obtain multiple data streams at high channel level gain andlow interference over longer distances, with maximized gain in thedirection of the incoming data streams. Receiver processing may also beused to null out interference sources, to steer an array toward anincoming signal, or some combination thereof.

When communicating wirelessly, the various components may communicateover a particular channel or frequency within a frequency band. In awireless chipset, the radio channel that is used may become congested orover-subscribed. In a mesh network, mesh points may begin to loseconnection to an access point. Those who lose a connection may beconsidered to be on the so-called “cell edge,” and can becomeinaccessible. In an example home security setting, a video surveillancecamera at a cell edge may become disassociated with an access point,which can cause a loss of signal, making it impossible to monitor thevideo.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure may relate to changingchannels to maintain reliability, data rates, and range. A channelchange may be performed in response to detecting interference (e.g.,explicitly or implicitly), although a channel may be changed for anynumber of reasons as well.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a single radiochannel can be shared among multiple mesh peers, and potentially amongother end-user or other devices, which can be considered “stations”.Each mesh peer, or access point, may have user and kernel modes wherecertain actions can be initiated, registered, or otherwise processed.FIG. 6 illustrates an example of one type of a system that may be used,and which includes both kernel and user modes. As illustrated, aproprietary kernel module is included in the kernel mode. The kernelmodule may be used, in some embodiments, in a communication path betweena link state router (e.g., in the user mode) and an 802.11 module.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the kernelmodule may be used to apply a channel change as a countermeasure (e.g.,when a signal degrades) or take other actions (e.g., to test the stateof a mesh or communication link, test availability of other channels,etc.). One mechanism that may be used by the kernel module may be toutilize open shortest path first (“OSPF”) protocols, and to set Helloprotocol timers. Optionally, IGMP snooping may be disabled in the kernelmodule to facilitate flow of protocol timers, which can act as a primarytrigger to make hidden nodes visible. The kernel module may providersimpler, specific, and stable interfaces at all access points or othernodes in order to facilitate such actions. Collectively, such featuresprovide flexibility to recover and regain original communication links.

The kernel module may be used in some embodiments to change channels ina manner that allows access points and other stations to maintainassociations with potentially no lost packets. This may be done byallowing all access points to switch to the same channel, in sync with aparent access point, which may be a peer access point who determinesthat the channel switch is desirable. Requests to change channel can bemade and propagated throughout the mesh network so that the entire meshnetwork can change channels instantaneously and synchronously, therebyminimizing or avoiding disruption to stations and access points.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an example method 700 is provided for performinga channel switch according to some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The illustrated embodiment represents, merely one example ofa manner in which all access points and associated stations (i.e.,connected devices) may switch channels in a WiFi or other wirelesssystem, although other methods may be used. For instance, theillustrated method 700 illustrates a message that may propagate throughthree components (e.g., two access points and a station, three accesspoints, etc.), although in other embodiments the method may includemessage propagation through any number of components, or through onlytwo components.

The method of FIG. 7 includes a first access point sending an outgoingmessage in act 702. The outgoing message may include a beacon or othermessage prepared by, or using, an example kernel module, and canfacilitate changing of channels simultaneously. For instance, theoutgoing message may provide data for a channel switch, including whatchannel to switch to, and a timing synchronization function (“TSF”). TheTSF may include a measure of time on a given device to allow all devicesto change channels at the same time. The TSF may be an absolute value,or a relative value. Further, the TSF may correspond to a timesufficiently far in the future to allow messages to propagate to allaccess points and stations, thereby allowing all devices in thecommunication system to switch channels simultaneously.

A second access point may listen for a beacon or other message, and inact 704 may receive the message. In some embodiments the message sent inact 702 may be directed to the second access point in a point-to-pointcommunication. In other embodiments, however, the message in act 702 maybe sent in other manners, including as a broadcast orpoint-to-multipoint message. Regardless of how the message is sent inact 702, it may be recited in act 704.

The second access point may be associated with other access points orstations. As a result, the second access point may prepare and sendbeacons or other messages to associated devices. Upon receipt of themessage in act 704, however, the second access point may add informationfrom the received beacon to its own messages, and send the revisedbeacon or other message in act 706. A third access point, a station, orother device may then receive the beacon or other message in anadditional act 704. If the third device is an access point, the accesspoint may also add the received channel change information (e.g.,channel and TSF) to its own messages and send the message in act 706with the revised information. If the third device is a station, such asan end-user device, the act 706 may be omitted.

When the time associated with the TSF arrives, each of the devices maychange the channel (acts 708). Thereafter, each device may register thechange (acts 710). Registering the change may include each device, oreach access point, calling a callback registered by the proprietarykernel module. Optionally, each device making the change can report backin acts 712 to another device to indicate that the channel change wasmade. The reports may ultimately be funneled back to the first devicewhich initiated the change, and which can receive the reports in act714.

Various elements of the method 700 may be performed in a variety ofmanners. For instance, the manner in which the channel changeinformation is provided can be varied. In one embodiment, for instance,the kernel module includes proprietary structure for sending, receiving,or implementing channel changes, and the message sent can conform tosuch a structure. In other embodiments, a message may conform to astandard. For instance, a message may be implemented in an action frameof 802.11h channel-switch announcement (CSA) elements to allow channelchanges by devices that do not have access to proprietary systems. Insome embodiments, both standardized (e.g., CSA elements and actionframes) may be used in addition to proprietary structures and methods.Sending both types of messages may allow devices that understand onlystandard messages, and devices that understand proprietary messages, toboth respond and change channel synchronously. In other embodiments,however, devices receiving and interpreting only the CSA or otherstandard message may have some loss of timing accuracy. For instance, aCSA element may have accuracy limits based on timing accuracy limits ofbeacon levels in 802.11h.

The TSF function may also be the same or different for each of theaccess points or other devices in the method 700. If, for instance, theTSF refers to an absolute time, the TSF may remain constant as a messagepropagates through a network. A relative TSF may, however, be adjustedat each hop. For instance, after receiving the message in act 704, thesecond access point may add the TSF and channel change information inact 706, but may first adjust the TSF information. The TSF informationmay be adjusted by, for instance, calculating a new TSF based on thedifference between time at the second access point and at theinitiating, or first, access point. The adjustment may reflect the timedifference resulting from the delay in receiving the message in act 704,and adding and sending the message in act 706.

While the registration in acts 710 is shown as occurring following achange in channel (acts 208) responsive to a message including channelchange information from an initiating access point, the registration inacts 710 may also be performed at any suitable time. For instance,registration may be performed using a callback function regardless ofwhy the channel changed. Thus, if the channel change was initiatedlocally at an access point, due to a message from a peer, due to a radarevent, through a local user interface, or in some other manner, thecallback may be initiated to register the channel change. Registrationmay include updating an index to indicate what channel is currentlybeing used. The channel index may also be used to identify what channelto switch to in acts 708.

The method 700 of FIG. 7 includes sending of a message in act 702 by afirst access point initiating a change in all access points andstations. Although a single access point may initiate the change, itshould be appreciated that the initiating access point may be any accesspoint in a system. Thus, any access point that determines a channelchange should occur may act as the first access point and transmitchannel change information in a corresponding beacon or other message.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of amethod 800 for simultaneous channel switching in a mesh network isillustrated. In some configurations, the method 800 may be implementedin conjunction with one or more devices from the wireless networkingsystem 100 of FIG. 1.

At block 805, a beacon may be sent. The beacon may include a channelchange request in both proprietary and standard formats. The channelchange request may include an instruction to change to a particularchannel and a timing synchronization function identifying when thechange to the particular channel should occur. At block 810, the timingsynchronization function may be used to determine that the time hasarrived to change to the particular channel. At block 815, theparticular channel may be changed to synchronously with all other accesspoints in a mesh network.

Turning now to FIG. 9, another example of a method 900 is illustrated.The method 900 may be used by an access point to switch a transmissionand/or reception channel simultaneously with all other nodes and devicesin a communication system.

In the method 900, the device may be initialized in act 902. Each devicein the system may, upon initialization in act 900, use a callbackroutine (e.g., of a proprietary kernel module) in act 904 to register achannel or channel switch. Thereafter, the action taken may depend onwhether the device is starting a channel change request (act 906 a) orreceiving from another access point an indication that a channel changeis to occur (act 906 b). If the access point is initializing the channelchange, it may determine that a channel change is necessary ordesirable. This may occur by, for instance, performing a clear channelassessment as described hereafter, although the channel switch may bedetermined in other manners (e.g., through a local user interface).Starting a channel change request in act 906 may include other acts,including determining what channel change to make and what time thechange should occur. As discussed herein, the time at which the changeis to occur should be sufficiently far in the future to allow messagesto propagate through the system and allow all devices and nodes tochange simultaneously.

The time function for changing channel may include a single valuecorresponding to the time a channel should change. This value may beabsolute or relative as described herein. In other embodiments, however,multiple values may be specified. As an example, the time functiondetermined in act 906 a through triggering of a channel switch event mayinclude: (a) determining a time when a transmission queue should bestopped; (b) a time when the channel switch should occur; and (c)determining a time when the transmission queue should resume. In someembodiments, a flag or other value may also be set to indicate whetheror not the transmission queue should resume at all. If the access pointperforming the method 900 is not initializing the channel switch, theaccess point may instead receive a message in act 906 b. The message mayinclude some or all of the information discussed above relative to act906 a, including channel identification information, a time to switchchannels, how long before and after the switch to stop and resume thetransmission queue, and flags (e.g., whether to resume the transactionqueue at all). Some channels (e.g., channels needing CAC, the flag maybe set not to resume the transmission queue).

Regardless of whether the access point is initiating the channel change(i.e., performing act 906 a) or receiving a message indicating a channelchange should occur (i.e., performing act 906 b), the access point mayadd channel change information to an outgoing beacon message in act 908.An initiating access point may add the information to a new beacon,whereas a receiving access point may add received information to its ownbeacon. As discussed herein, the time information may be changed by areceiving access point to indicate relative times for changing achannel. Such relative times may be changed to account for the time toreceive and send a new beacon with the channel change information.

Adding the information in act 908 may also include adding channel changeinformation in one or more manners. For instance, channel changeinformation may be formatted according to a custom or proprietarystructure of a kernel module. Other channel change information may beformatted according to a standard protocol. In some embodiments, addingthe information in act 908 includes adding channel change information inboth proprietary and standard formats so that channel change informationmay be understood by access points and devices that understand eitherstandard. While FIG. 9 illustrates an act 908 of adding channel changeinformation, in some embodiments the method 900 may be carried out by astation rather than an access point. In such an embodiment, the stationmay not send out beacons, and the act 908 may be skipped.

Once an access point knows the channel change information, whetherfollowing determining the information and triggering a channel change inact 906 a, or after receipt of a channel change message in act 906 b,the access point can set a timer in act 910 to cause the channel changeto occur. Setting the timer in act 910 may include setting up an inputand output control (“IOCTL”) with relevant information for changingchannels. The relevant information include what channel to change to andthe time of the change. Other relevant information may include how longbefore and after the switch to stop and resume transmission queues,whether to resume a transmission queue at all, etc.

Before or after setting the time in act 910, the access point may alsosend a beacon that includes channel change information (act 912).Sending the channel change information may also include transmitting themessage with the proprietary (e.g., according to proprietary kernelmodule) and/or standard (e.g., according to 802.11h CSA standard) topropagate the message to other devices. A receiving module may thenreceive the message in an act 906 b and follow a method similar to theremainder of method 900.

The timer set in act 910 may fire at appropriate times based on theinformation used. In method 900, three timers may be set. These timersmay fire at appropriate times and corresponding actions may take place.After time passes and a first timer fires in act 914, the method mayinclude stopping a transmission queue. Stopping the transmission queuecan be a pre-change event, and can optionally stop a reception queue aswell. Completion of these tasks may be reported to the local hostthrough an interrupt, which can stop radar when the timer fires in act914.

When the second timer fires in act 916, it may indicate a time to switchchannels. As a result, the system may change channel/frequency to thespecified channel, and inform the local host (e.g., through aninterrupt). At that time the local host may also restart radar ifnecessary. Data structures (e.g., an 802.11 com data structure) can beupdated with the current channel information. After that time, the thirdtimer can fire in act 918. The third timer can trigger restarting of thetransmission queue, and a notification to the local host through aninterrupt or other manner.

If any locks have been set, the locks may also be released in act 920,and work can be restarted to mark the process as complete. Aregistration procedure may also be performed in act 922. Theregistration procedure may include calling of a callback. The callbackcan be registered in some embodiments by a proprietary kernel module tocomplete the channel change procedure. Optionally, completed informationmay be reported to other access points, although in some embodiments theregistration may be maintained only locally.

Clear Channel Assessment

The above discussion related to fast channel switching describes anembodiment of the present disclosure in which an access point of a meshnetwork may initiate a channel change by sending one or more messages toother access points, and allowing the other access points to propagatethe message through the mesh network to all access points and stations.The following discussion relates to when and how the initiating accesspoint may determine that a channel change is desirable. Accordingly,aspects disclosed below relating to clear channel assessment may beincluded within the method 900 of FIG. 9, or in another suitable method.In accordance with one embodiment, aspects of clear channel assessmentmay be inserted between acts 904 and 906 a.

A clear channel assessment may be performed in a number of manners, andcan include various features. According to one embodiment, the clearchannel assessment feature can include clear channel assessment (“CCA”)and radar detection. Using radar detection, sample signals may becollected to determine if radar is detected on a particular channel.That information may then be provided to the caller, whether the calleris local on an access point, or is remote in another access point. Thecaller can then determine to take appropriate action. For instance, ifradar is detected on a channel, the action may be to change channelsimmediately (or to propagate a message to change channels as quickly aspossible.

Generally speaking CCA can be used to measure the status of a chipsetand determine whether one or more channels are available should acurrent channel be degrading. In one embodiment this may be performed bymonitoring the status of an RF chipset. By way of illustration, achannel, and potentially a secondary channel, may be monitored andassociated with a particular bit. If the RF power on a respectivechannel is below a predetermined threshold, the bit is asserted for therespective channel. Different values may thus be provided if thechannel, or secondary channel, is clear as opposed to when the channelis not clear. While sampling may occur a single time, other embodimentscontemplate sampling multiple times over a time period. Samplingmultiple times over a given time period allows an access point orstation to gather more information about the activity on a particularchannel. The inverse proportion of samples where the bit was assertedcan give a measurement of how busy the channel is. A relatively busychannel may be less desirable as a target channel for a channel switchas compared to a relatively inactive channel.

It should be noted that when a channel/frequency is monitored, a devicemay temporarily change to the channel to be monitored. Where sampling isperformed multiple times over a longer period of time, the device mayrepeatedly and temporarily change to the sampled channel, then changeback to the current channel. Optionally, radar detection may be doneduring the same CCA sampling period. Signal pulse samples may becollected to determine whether or not radar is present. Particularlywhere each sampling period is short, the use of multiple samplesprovides a greater ability to detect whether or not radar is present onthe channel. Over time, data may be obtained for the particular channelbeing tested to determine its availability and usage, and if multiplechannels are sampled, a range of usage data for all channels may becollected.

When other channels are available that provide more accessibility than acurrent channel, the initiating access point may initiate a channelswitch as described above. The switch may be based on usage informationcollected at each of multiple access points and/or stations, rather thanat a single device. Thus, each component in a mesh network may performCCA and radar detection. Those results may be aggregated by aninitiating access point to determine how each access point and stationmay respond to a particular channel change.

In assessing a channel, CCA requests may be propagated to access pointsthrough a process similar to that described previously for a channelchange. Thus, a process may include sending a proprietary and/orstandard message to one or more other access points. The message mayinclude information about which channel to test, the time to test thechannel, and the like. In some embodiments, the process is similar butuses a different proprietary interface of a kernel module that also maydescribe information such as the length of a sample and the overallduration during which multiple samples are to be taken, in addition toinformation about the channel or channels to sample, and the times forsampling to occur.

Because a message may be propagated with time information, each of theaccess points may simultaneously test and measure activity on anotherchannel. A callback routine may be used to then report and register theresults with the access point, and the access point can then provide theinformation to others and to higher level software for collection. Thehigher level software or other devices may determine when a channelchange should be made based on the collective, simultaneously obtainedCCA and radar information from all access points in a network. In someembodiments, the output from a CCA and radar measurement may include:(a) the starting time; (b) the ending time: (c) the number of sampleswhere a CCA bit is asserted for a primary channel; (d) the number ofsamples where a CCA bit is asserted for the secondary channel; (e) thenumber of times an interface iterated to collect samples; and (f) aBoolean value for whether or not radar was detected at some point duringthe sampling.

Sampling of channels for clear channel assessment purposes may also usesimilar information with respect to a TSF as that used by an accesspoint during a channel switch. For instance, a custom interface may beprovided on a beacon. The custom, proprietary interface may provideinformation such as timing on when to stop a transmission or receivingqueue, when to change channel for sampling purposes and to collectsampling data, how often to repeat the sampling, how long each sampleshould be and the total time over which samples should be taken, when torestart a transmission and/or receiving queue, and the like. Varioustimers may therefore fire as shown in FIG. 9, which timers may includetimers related to stopping and restarting a queue, and changing achannel. Such timers may also be iterated to allow sampling to occurmultiple times over a longer period. In at least one embodiment, it iscontemplated that no prior time is used or specified to stop a queue.Instead, the queue may be stopped at the time a channel change occurs,rather than before.

Although not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure, oneembodiment contemplates issuing a command as an IOCTL to a driver tofetch CCA information on a channel. An example format of such a commandmay include:

-   -   call_qcsapi start_cca wifi0 44 40

Using this format, the driver may cause CCA information to be fetched onchannel 44 for a duration of 40 milliseconds. In some embodiments, theduration may be a total duration during which a channel should change toperform a CCA test. If, for instance, it takes 20 milliseconds toperform a channel change, that may then leave only 20 milliseconds forthe sampling period to occur.

Channel Scan

The above disclosure related to clear channel assessment contemplatesthe use of a proprietary or custom interface to propagate messages totest channel availability on one channel and potentially a secondarychannel. Each device can perform the test at the same time. In otherembodiments, however, sampling a channel may occur as part of a scanningprocess during which multiple channels may be sampled. Each of multiplechannels may be sampled multiple times. The process may then iteratewith additional channels to build up a scan table for all channels. Theinitiating access point may also issue custom and proprietary messagesthat allow for scanning. Such messages may include the same informationused for scanning a single channel and/or secondary channel, but mayalso include information such as the number of additional channels toscan, an identification of the additional channels, timing informationfor the other channels, and the like.

As a scanning procedure may take longer than a scan of a single channel,an access point may dedicate its resources to sampling, and be off of aprimary channel used for communication for a period of time. As theaccess point may not always remain connected to the primary channel,some packets can be lost, however, the access point and stations mayremain associated. As with sampling a single channel, sampling may bedone while accounting for time to switch channels. Such an accountingmay include the time to change channels as well as a limitation on thecycles used. If too many cycles are used, the device software maytrigger a reset, and limits on cycling may be used to avoid the reset.

In view of the above description, it should be appreciated that systems,devices, and methods of the present disclosure may allow an access pointin a mesh network to determine that a channel change is desirable (e.g.,using CCA collected from multiple nodes, radar detection, etc.), andpropagate a message to all nodes for simultaneously changing the channelto avoid loss of data packets or disassociation between nodes andstations. Embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise or utilizea special purpose or general-purpose computer including computerhardware, such as, for example, one or more processors and system memoryin an access point, a server, switch, or computing device, an end-userdevice, or in other systems or components.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure also includephysical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storingcomputer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Suchcomputer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer system.Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions arecomputer storage media. Computer-readable media that carrycomputer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way ofexample, and not limitation, embodiments of the disclosure can compriseat least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media,including at least computer storage media and/or transmission media.Computer-readable media that includes computer-executable instructionsmay also be referred to as a computer program product.

Examples of computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM orother optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, flash-based storage, solid-state storage, or any otherphysical, non-transmission medium which can be used to store desiredprogram code means in the form of computer-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer.

When information is transferred or provided over a communication networkor another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or acombination of hardwired or wireless) to a computing device, thecomputing device properly views the connection as a transmission medium.A “communication network” may generally be defined as one or more datalinks that enable the transport of electronic data between computersystems and/or modules, engines, and/or other electronic devices, andtransmissions media can include a communication network and/or datalinks, carrier waves, wireless signals, and the like, which can be usedto carry desired program or template code means or instructions in theform of computer-executable instructions or data structures within, toor from a communication network. Combinations of storage media andtransmission media should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program codemeans in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structurescan be transferred automatically from transmission media to storagemedia (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions ordata structures received over a network or data link can be buffered inRAM within a network interface module (e.g., a “NIC”), and theneventually transferred to computer system RAM and/or to less volatilecomputer storage media at a computer system. Thus, it should beunderstood that computer storage media can be included in computersystem components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmissionmedia.

Computer-executable instructions comprise instructions and data which,when executed at a processor, cause a general purpose computer,dedicated or special purpose computer (e.g., an access point), orspecial purpose processing device to perform a certain function or groupof functions. The computer executable instructions may be, for example,binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, oreven source code. Although the subject matter has been described inlanguage specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, itis to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appendedclaims is not necessarily limited to the described features or actsdescribed above, nor performance of the described acts or steps by thecomponents described above. Rather, the described features and acts aredisclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments may bepracticed in network computing environments with many types of computersystem configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers,laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, programmablelogic machines, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, network PCs, tablet computingdevices, minicomputers, mesh network access points or nodes, mainframecomputers, mobile telephones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, and thelike.

Embodiments may also be practiced in distributed system environmentswhere local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either byhardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination ofhardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both performtasks. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be practiced in special-purpose, dedicated orother computing devices integrated within or particular to a particularresidence, business, company, government agency, or other entity, andthat such devices may operate using one or more network, wireless,hardwire, or other connections, or any combination thereof. Examples mayinclude residential or commercial buildings in connection with a meshnetwork providing access to a service provider (e.g., an ISP).

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure or of any ofthe appended claims, but merely as providing information pertinent tosome specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of thedisclosure and the appended claims. Various embodiments are described,some of which incorporate differing features. Any feature illustrated ordescribed relative to one embodiment is interchangeable and/or may beemployed in combination with features of any other embodiment herein. Inaddition, other embodiments may also be devised which lie within thescopes of the disclosure and the appended claims. The scope of thedisclosure is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents. All additions, deletions andmodifications to the disclosure, as disclosed herein, that fall withinthe meaning and scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for channel switching at a first accesspoint in a wireless network, comprising: receiving a first beacon from asecond access point in the wireless network that indicates a request tomake a channel change, the first beacon containing channel changeinformation indicating: an identification of a channel to change; and afirst change time to make the channel change; setting a timer to changeto the channel at the first change time; generating a second beacon byrevising an outgoing beacon to include the channel change informationfrom the first beacon; and sending, to a third access point, the secondbeacon indicating a request for the third access point to make thechannel change and containing the channel change information.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the request to make the channel change isbased on receiving the request for a clear channel assessment (CCA) fromthe second access point.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:performing a CCA based on the request to perform the CCA; register anindication of results of the CCA; and transmitting the indication of theresults of the CCA to the second access point.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: sending the second beacon to at least one nodeconnected in the wireless network that is different than the secondaccess point and the third access point, wherein the second beaconrequests that the at least one node make a channel change at the firstchange time.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the firstbeacon further comprises: receiving the first beacon using apoint-to-point communication with the second access point.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein receiving the first beacon further comprises:receiving the first beacon, from the second access point, using apoint-to-multipoint communication or a broadcast communication.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting a first indicationto at least one device associated with the wireless network to change tothe identified channel when the first change time occurs.
 8. The methodof claim 7, further comprising: receiving a second indication that thechange to the identified channel was made based at least in part on thefirst indication.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first beaconreceived indicating the request to make the channel change is receivedin a proprietary format.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstchange time corresponds to an instruction to stop a transmission queue,the method further comprising: receiving a second change time; switchingto the identified channel at the second change time; receiving a thirdchange time; and restarting the transmission queue at the third changetime.
 11. An apparatus for channel switching, comprising: a processor;memory in electronic communication with the processor; and instructionsstored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processorto: receive a first beacon, at the apparatus in a wireless network, froma second access point in the wireless network that indicates a requestto make a channel change, the first beacon containing channel changeinformation indicating: an identification of a channel to change to; anda first change time to make the channel change; set a timer, at theapparatus, to change to the channel at the first change time; generate asecond beacon by revising an outgoing beacon to include the channelchange information from the first beacon; and send, to a third accesspoint, the second beacon indicating a request for the third access pointto make the channel change and containing the channel changeinformation.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the request to makethe channel change is based on receiving the request for a clear channelassessment (CCA) from the second access point.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 12, the instructions being further executable to: perform a CCAbased on the request to perform the CCA; register an indication ofresults of the CCA; and transmit the results of the CCA to the secondaccess point.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, the instructions beingfurther executable to: send the second beacon to at least one nodeconnected in the wireless network that is different than the secondaccess point and the third access point, wherein the second beaconrequests that the at least one node make a channel change at the firstchange time.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein when the processorreceives the first beacon, the instructions are further executable to:receive the first beacon using a point-to-point communication with thesecond access point.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein when theprocessor receives the first beacon, the instructions are furtherexecutable to: receive the first beacon, from the second access point,using a point-to-multipoint communication or a broadcast communication.17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first change time correspondsto an instruction to stop a transmission queue, the instructions beingfurther executable to: receive a second change time; switch to theidentified channel at the second change time; receive a third changetime; and restart the transmission queue at the third change time.
 18. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable codeat a first access point in a wireless network, the code executable by aprocessor to: receive a first beacon from a second access point in thewireless network that indicates a request to make a channel change, thefirst beacon containing channel change information indicating: anidentification of a channel to change to; and a first change time tomake the channel change; set a timer to change to the channel at thefirst change time; generate a second beacon by revising an outgoingbeacon to include the channel change information from the first beacon;and send, to a third access point, the second beacon indicating arequest for the third access point to make the channel change andcontaining the channel change information.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 18, the code further executable to:perform a CCA based on a request to perform the CCA, the requestreceived from the second access point; register an indication of resultsof the CCA; and transmit the results of the CCA to the second accesspoint.